How to Become an Auto Mechanic in 6 Steps?
Are you planning on becoming an auto mechanic? If yes, then you might be wondering how to land your first mechanic motor vehicle job. After all, it is the first step that you need to take to start your career. However, there are some other things that you need to consider before that.
The path to a career in automotive repair for individuals would be unique. But having an idea about the hurdles and obstacles will help you progress in your career. On that note, this article will tell you about the steps to become an auto mechanic.
What Does the Mechanic Motor Vehicle Job?
The first thing that you need to know is the roles and responsibilities of a mechanic motor vehicle job. This way, you can know about the relevant automotive technician education, training, and experience you need. Some key roles of the automotive mechanics include:
- Inspect the vehicle for possible issues
- Repair or replace any part that is not functioning properly
- Maintain vehicles by carrying out routine maintenance
They would need to have complete knowledge of the automotive parts and their functions. Not only that— auto mechanics also need to have a proper understanding of the software and tools used to diagnose and assess vehicles.
In order to learn and acquire all the relevant skills, you would need to attend the mechanic training schools. These institutes will offer you auto mechanic courses to enroll and learn about the things that can help with your job. Auto mechanic vocational training can also be handy in acquiring the right skills for the job.
How to Become an Auto Mechanic: Step-by-Step Guide
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average earning for automotive mechanics was $46,970 in the US for the year 2022. The annual wage can go as high as $ 75,360. But in order to earn that amount of money, you need to acquire the relevant education and training. Let's go over the steps that you can take to land your first auto-mechanic job.
Step 1 - Complete Your Education
The first thing that you need to do is complete your high school. This is the basic educational requirement that you need to fulfill to land a mechanic motor vehicle job. Your resume might get overlooked even if you have practical mechanic skills.
Also, most trade schools require you to have a high school diploma or GED (General Education Development) for their auto mechanic training courses. Therefore, it is important that you fulfill this requirement if you want to proceed in your career as an auto mechanic.
With these documents, you would be able to demonstrate that you have a particular level of discipline and reasoning ability. It will also make it easy for you to get noticed by potential employers.
Step 2 - Get Enrolled in Mechanic Training Program
After completing your high school diploma or GED, you need to go for the relevant automotive technician education. The best way to do this is by entering into automotive technician programs that different schools offer. It would allow you to grasp the knowledge about the roles and responsibilities.
There are different options when it comes to getting the relevant education for the mechanic motor vehicle job. Here are a few of them that you can choose from according to your preferences and requirements:
- Trade and Vocational Schools
- Community College
- Car Mechanic School
Step 3 - Clear the Relevant Tests and Certifications
Getting an automotive technician certification will allow you to become a top pick for employers. Therefore, you should get the relevant certificates from reputable institutes, such as the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). It would help you show your abilities and skills.
In the ASE entry-level certification, you'll be tested on your knowledge of different car parts, such as engine repair, brakes, electrical systems, suspension, steering, etc. Plus, there is no requirement for any experience to take the test. So, you can get the relevant automotive mechanic certifications from ASE.
Step 4 - Find an Apprenticeship or Internship
After you have the relevant education and certifications, it is now time to get hands-on experience. The best possible way of doing that is through finding an auto mechanic apprenticeship or internship. It would provide you with the experience to handle the roles and responsibilities of an auto-mechanic job.
You can get in touch with the major car dealerships in your area to know about any such opportunities. Usually, the apprenticeship or internship would be anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks. It would help you show potential employers that you have some sort of work experience.
Step 5 - Look for Relevant Full-time Opportunities
The next step entails looking for the relevant job opportunities. Some car mechanics can look for jobs at a dealership. Others might also prefer to work at repair shops. Either way, you would be starting with projects that aren't too difficult to handle, such as changing oil.
You would mostly be assisting the certified technicians with their jobs. After getting an experience for a couple of years, you can then take the ASE certification exam. This would help you to progress in your career.
Step 6 - Continuously Learn and Upskill Yourself
The technological advancements in the automotive industry are coming in quite rapidly. So, you need to keep up with the latest developments and learn about the new technologies in the automotive sector.
You can attend training sessions and conferences to acquire knowledge about it. Furthermore, you can also consider taking up vocational training for auto mechanics. This would allow you to keep up with the technological changes
Wrapping Up
The purpose of this article was to help you with your mechanic career path. It would provide you with a clear idea regarding how to start and get into this industry by finding a mechanic motor vehicle job.
If you need any assistance with auto mechanic training or to find the right mechanic certification programs, then Jointrain is here to help you out. Our experts can give you complete guidance and help you to progress in your career as an auto mechanic.